Last Descent Spiral: 35-Year Special Forces Veteran Warrant Officer

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] A master sergeant who served in the Special Warfare Command for 35 years is making his final parachute jump. The last jump is scheduled to be alongside the 836th airborne basic trainees making their first jump in a real operation.

According to the Army on the 29th, the protagonist of the final jump is Master Sergeant Kim Jung-woo (photo). Having served in the Special Warfare Command for 35 years, Master Sergeant Kim supported the farewell jump ahead of his discharge at the end of February. Although he has jumped approximately 596 times during his military service, this jump holds a special significance for him.

The jump will be made from a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter flying at an altitude of 580 meters (1,900 feet). After watching all the soldiers jump, Master Sergeant Kim plans to make his final leap into the sky. Notably, the jump includes Lieutenant General Kim Jung-soo, Commander of the Special Warfare Command, Brigadier General Seo Young-man, Commandant of the Special Warfare School, and comrades who have served alongside Master Sergeant Kim. They said, "We joined this jump to demonstrate the camaraderie of the 'Black Berets of loyalty,' who have fearlessly traversed the sky, land, mountains, and sea, sharing life and death together."

Master Sergeant Kim was commissioned as part of the 16th recruitment batch in 1985 at the age of 20. His first assignment was as a communications officer in the Special Warfare Command’s Black Panther Unit. When he began his military career, his physical strength was weaker than others. Even completing a 5km run was difficult at the time of enlistment. The military changed him. Within 10 months, he developed his stamina enough to be selected as the company representative for a 10km armed rapid march. He also continuously pursued self-development. He holds 13 certifications, including Level 1 Psychological Counselor and Personality Instructor. In 2017, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Blood Donation Merit.

Master Sergeant Kim said, "Leadership is not about unilaterally leading but about enabling subordinates to follow voluntarily," and advised juniors, "I hope you build a smart Special Warfare Command, the world’s finest and irreplaceable special forces."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.